What is it?
Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms found naturally in practically every environment: air, water, soil, dust, surfaces and living beings.
In the field of healthy buildings, they are one of the biological factors that may form part of an indoor environment assessment when the characteristics of the building or the objectives of the study require it.
Their presence in an indoor space does not necessarily mean there is a problem. Interpretation takes into account the source, the type of environment, moisture conditions, ventilation and the other factors present in the building.
Where can it be found?
They can be found on surfaces and in ventilation systems, water installations, accumulated dust, damp materials and other areas with conditions favourable to their growth.
They also enter the indoor environment through occupants, outdoor air or the various activities carried out in the building.
How is it assessed?
What the inspection looks at
The technical inspection identifies possible sources and the conditions favourable to microbial growth.
What is recorded for each measurement
Equipment, quantity, unit, location, date, measurement conditions and duration, together with the relevant limitations and the interpretation criterion applied.
How this factor is measured
When the assessment requires it, sampling of surfaces, air, dust or other materials may be carried out using specific methodologies.
Interpretation considers the technical inspection, the environmental conditions and the available analytical results together.
In assessments intended as expert evidence, appropriate procedures and, where applicable, calibrated instruments are used to ensure the reliability and traceability of the process.
Criteria
The assessment brings together the technical inspection, laboratory results where available and knowledge of the building’s environmental behaviour.
No single result is interpreted in isolation: it is analysed together with the other factors assessed to obtain an overall picture of the indoor environment.
This guide does not publish values or thresholds. Technical criteria, legal limits and recommendations are different things and are not presented as equivalent.
Improvement measures
Work always begins by understanding and, where possible, reducing the source, before acting on the path or on the space. Measures are prioritised by expected effect, feasibility and proportionality, and no products are recommended by default.
The action taken depends on the causes identified during the assessment. Options that may be considered include:
- Eliminating moisture problems.
- Improving ventilation.
- Cleaning using appropriate procedures.
- Checking certain installations.
- Replacing deteriorated materials where necessary.
Recommendations are always adapted to the characteristics of the building and the results obtained.
How Cemprotecta helps
This factor is not assessed on its own. It is studied together with moisture, mould, yeasts and air quality, because an isolated result says little about the building.
What an assessment gives you is knowing what is there, where it is and what can be done about it, with an ordered sequence of measures rather than a list of problems.
- Inspection of the space and of moisture conditions.
- Sampling when the scope of the assessment requires it.
- Combined interpretation with the other factors assessed.
- A report identifying the possible causes and the applicable measures.
Request an assessment
If this factor concerns you in your home or workplace, tell us about your case. The prior inspection will determine whether it is worth measuring and what else should be assessed alongside it.